Thinking of starting a 10 gallon planted tank

[ROLLIN]

Which lighting unit out of these two would you recommend?

http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/204972/i/1/product.web

or

http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/204923/i/1/product.web

I have never been much of a plant guy, but lately I have been wanting to give a planted tank a try. Just something small (10 gallons) with mostly easy plants for now.

Edited to add: By the looks of it, they both have the same bulb.

[Mgamer20o0]

i personally would go with something like this.
http://www.ahsupply.com/36-55w.htm

you can also look into the power compact screw in bulbs they sell at walmart or other places.

[John N.]

Between the two I would go with the second complete fixture. However, if you want to better spend your money, 1x36watt ahsupply.com kit will be perfect for a 10 gallon tank.

In both choices you'll need, lots of CO2 and regular fertilizing.

-John N.

[ROLLIN]

Thanks guys. I do plan on using CO2. Might as well go for it all. Eco complete, etc.

[ROLLIN]

What do you think is better, flourite or eco complete? Which fertilizer do you recommend? I won't likely start this project for a month or two, so I will have plenty of time to figure out exactly what I want.

[Rex Grigg]

Neither of the lights you linked to will work. They both have 50/50 bulbs.

As suggested an AH Supply 36 watt kit will work quite well. You can even buy an enclosure for it from AH Supply. It's a bit more money than the lights you linked to but much better quality.

Personally if I were setting up a new tank I would go with the ADA Aquasoil. Lots of good talk about it on other forums.

Between the two substrates you list I would have recommended Eco-Complete. But they are once again having problems with quality control. I have a couple of Flourite tanks. It's a great substrate.

[Sammie7]

Nvm

[Mgamer20o0]

What do you think is better, flourite or eco complete? Which fertilizer do you recommend? I won't likely start this project for a month or two, so I will have plenty of time to figure out exactly what I want.

http://www.aquariumfertilizer.com/

i uses these ferts.

[Blueiz]

Fluorite is a good substrate..what I use in my planted tanks..

Blue

[ROLLIN]

Maybe I'll just get a couple of these and put them in the lighting fixture that the tank already has. http://www.petsandponds.com/securestore/c6657p16873834.2.html

[Sammie7]

Maybe I'll just get a couple of these and put them in the lighting fixture that the tank already has. http://www.petsandponds.com/securestore/c6657p16873834.2.html

I also have an incandescent hood with CF bulbs and it works great for me. Mine are only 10 watt bulbs, totaling 20 watts over my 10 gallon.

[ROLLIN]

Yeah I probably will end up getting those. I will most likely only be using easy plants anyway such as java fern, java moss, etc. As for the fish, I'm not sure what I want to do yet. I was thinking of building up a good snail collection and having a dwarf puffer, I've never had one before. Or maybe have a shrimp tank, with a few different kinds. Or having just a nice crowntail betta seems like a good idea too...

[Sammie7]

Yeah I probably will end up getting those. I will only be using easy plants anyway such as java fern, java moss, etc.

If that's the case, then definitely go for this alternative. My moss grows really well under my lighting, so you should be good.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s239/Sammie777_2007/HPIM1113.jpg?t=1177279473

[Becca3711]

I have a 10 g and I have 2 of those CF lights you get at the hardware store. I got the ones taht were "natural light", they are 15 W each, so 30 watts over my tank in the daytime for 11 hours, and I also have a timer set up so at night I have a blue lunar light. I just planted my plants about 4 weeks ago, and I already had to trim them. I have a laterite/silica sand mixture substrate, and I use Flurorish and API Leaf Zone. I have java fern, java moss, and a few other plants of which I do not know the names of.